Cardiology Society recommends high standards for PCI performed without on-site surgi...( The Society for Cardiovascular Angiogr...),Health

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), the leading U.S.-based organization for interventional cardiologists, will issue an expert consensus document recommending stringent quality standards for physicians who perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in hospitals not equipped for cardiac surgery. The document has already been endorsed by 12 medical societies, representing well over a dozen countries. Written by leaders in cardiovascular medicine, SCAIs consensus document addresses an ongoing health policy debate about whether patients suffering from heart attack or coronary artery disease should undergo stenting and other catheter-based treatment in hospitals where surgical treatment is not available. In recognition of data showing that PCI is being performed without on-site surgical backup in the United States and other countries, SCAI makes specific recommendations for the highest standards of quality to ensure patient safety and excellent clinical outcomes.

WHAT: International telebriefing on SCAIs expert consensus document titled, The Current Status and Future Direction of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Without On-Site Surgical Backup

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. (EST), Monday, February 5, 2007 Reporters may pre-register for the telebriefing by logging on to http://invite.econfcall.net/rsvp/manager?action=login&refno=8341049

WHERE: Calling in from the United States? Dial 800-514-5257 and enter participant passcode: 67383368 Calling in from outside the United States? Dial 973-935-8483 and enter participant passcode: 67383368

WHO: The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, a professional medical society whose membership totals more than 3,700 interventional cardiologists. SCAIs mission is to promote excellence in invasive and interventional cardiovascular medicine through physician educat
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Contact: Kathy David
kbdavid@scai.org
717-422-1181
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
5-Feb-2007